Assistive aquatic propulsion device

ABSTRACT

An assistive aquatic propulsion device affixable to a wearer&#39;s body to increase speed and mobility of bodily movement during surface and underwater swimming. The device includes a flexural fin member which in one embodiment of the invention is joined to a transversely extending spar member joined to a longitudinally extending yoke member, with the yoke member being releasably secured to the legs of a wearer, and with the spar member being arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinally extending yoke member. In a specific embodiment, the device includes a biomimetic tailfin simulative of tailfin structure of a whale, porpoise, manatee or other marine animal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/543,580 filedFeb. 11, 2004 in the name of Robert E. Lundquist for “Assistive AquaticPropulsion Device” is hereby claimed under the provisions of 35 USC§119.

BACKGROUND OF TIE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an assistive aquaticpropulsion device, which is affixable to a wearer's body to enhance thespeed and mobility of bodily movement during surface and underwaterswimming.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the field of swimming aids and swimming gear, there is a continuingeffort focused on wearable articles for increasing mobility and speed insurface as well as subsurface swimming. This effort has resulted in thedevelopment of wet suits, aquatic caps, flippers, hand scoops andnumerous other articles that are worn by swimmers and divers in thequest for enhanced swimming performance.

Swimmers targeted in this effort have included recreational swimmers, aswell as professionals, including marine search and rescue personnel,marine military personnel, and competitive professional swimmers.

It would be a significant advance in the art to provide a device thatdramatically improves speed and mobility of swimmers in surface andunderwater swimming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an assistive aquaticpropulsion device that is worn by a wearer, being secured to the legs ofthe wearer, and effective to substantially increase the speed andmobility of the wearer in surface and sub-surface swimming.

The invention may be embodied in various forms, as more fully shownhereinafter.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a biomimetic tailfin that issecured by securement structure to the legs and/or feet of the wearer,and is operative to propulsively assist the wearer in an aquaticenvironment to swim with increased speed and/or mobility, by movement ofthe wearer's legs in a fashion simulating the movement of the posteriorsection of the body of a marine animal such as a pilot whale orporpoise, e.g., in a back-and-forth stroking and/or kicking movement.

The biomimetic tailfin can be formed of a suitable flexural material,such as a rubber or flexible polymer. The tailfin may be formed as aunitary element, so that when affixed to the wearer's body, the finextends transversely outwardly from the wearer's feet region. Thetailfin alternatively can be formed in tailfin half-sections, with eachhalf-section being affixed to a respective one of the wearer's legs.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to an assistive aquaticpropulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in anaquatic environment, said device comprising a fin structure arranged toextend transversely outwardly from a wearer's lower leg or foot region,and securement structure for securing the fin structure to the wearer'sbody.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to an assistive aquaticpropulsion device, comprising a flexural fin member joined to alongitudinal yoke member securable to the legs of a wearer, saidflexural fin member rearwardly of the yoke member extending transverselyoutwardly therefrom.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an assistive aquaticpropulsion device that includes an elongate yoke member positionablebetween the legs of the wearer and below the wearer's knees. Theelongate yoke member has at its proximal portion couplings fordetachably connecting the device to the wearer's legs, and at its distalportion the elongate yoke member has couplings for detachably connectingthe device to the wearer's ankle region, so that the elongate yokemember when coupled is rigidly bound to the wearer's legs with the legsmaintained in fixed position on either side of the elongate yoke member.

At its distal portion, the elongate yoke member is joined to atransversely extending spar member at a medial region of the sparmember, so that the spar member extends outwardly in opposite directionsfrom the elongate yoke member.

The transverse spar member in turn has joined thereto along its length aflexural fin member that is formed of a suitable material, e.g., aflexible resilient polymeric or rubber material that flexes during legmovement of the wearer in an aqueous medium. In this manner, theflexural fin member mimics a tail fin structure of a marine animal suchas a mackerel, porpoise or whale.

The yoke member can be fabricated with a spring-loaded portion thereofin proximity to the junction of the yoke member with the spar member, sothat the spar member and flexural fin member secured thereto is able tomove pivotally in relation to the major portion of the yoke member thatis proximal to the junction of the yoke member with the spar member.

The couplings can be of any suitable type, including straps withquick-release buckles, as hereafter more fully described with referenceto the accompanying drawings, or alternatively, ties, tumbuckles,Velcro® wrap strips, or any other structural article or assembly that iseffective to detachably attach the device to the body of the wearer.

The yoke and spar members of the device can be formed of any suitablematerial, including wood, metal, plastic, fiber-reinforced composites,ceramics, etc., with plastics (polymeric materials) generally beingpreferred. The flexural fin member likewise can be constructed of anysuitable material of construction, and preferably is a plastic, e.g.,polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polybutylene, etc.

The yoke and spar members can be suitably dimensionally sized for thewearer, and the spar can be of appropriate dimensional extent giving dueregard to the strength of the wearer, generally having a transversedimensional extent (length, as measured in the transverse direction)that is from about 1.5 feet to about 5 feet, although greater or lesserdimensions can be employed to good advantage. The spar can be formedwith a linear or curvate leading edge, or a swept wing configuration, orother shape, as appropriate to the effective use of the device. The yokecan be sized appropriately to the spar and the body of the wearer. Ingeneral, the yoke will have a length in a range of from about 15 inchesto about 3 feet, although, again, greater or lesser dimensions can heemployed to good advantage. The flexural fin member may have atransverse dimensional extent that is greater or smaller in length, asmeasured in the transverse direction, in relation to the spar. Forexample, the transverse dimensional extent of the flexural fin membermay be on the order of from about 1 to about 6 feet, although greater orlesser dimensions may be employed in specific embodiments of theinvention. The dimensional extent of the flexural fin member in adirection parallel to the yoke member may be of any suitable dimension.In a specific embodiment, the longitudinal dimension may be from about 3inches to about 30 inches, although greater or lesser dimensions can beusefully employed in specific embodiments within the broad scope of thepresent invention.

Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be morefully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assistive aquatic propulsion deviceaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the assistive aquatic propulsiondevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the assistive aquatic propulsion device of FIG. 1,as installed on the body of a wearer.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the assistive aquatic propulsiondevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view in another orientation of the assistiveaquatic propulsion device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation view of an assistive aquaticpropulsion device according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevation view of yet another embodiment ofthe assistive aquatic propulsion device of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a further schematic side elevation view of an alternativeembodiment of the assistive aquatic propulsion device of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an assistive aquatic propulsiondevice of the invention in another embodiment, including biomimetictailfin half-sections, each of which is securable to the leg of awearer.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an assistive aquatic propulsiondevice of the invention in yet another embodiment, in which thebiomimetic tailfin is formed as unitary construction with alongitudinally extending beam member that includes securement structurefor coupling the device to the legs of a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

FIGS. 1-5 show various views of an assistive aquatic propulsion deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein all partsand features are correspondingly numbered.

The assistive aquatic propulsion device 10 as illustrated includes atransversely extending spar member 14, to which a rectangular sheet-formflexural fin member 12 is secured by means of mechanical fasteners 16.Mechanical fasteners 16 may be screw and nut fasteners, rivets,grommets, bolt and nut assemblies, or any other fixation means whichserve to secure the flexural fin member 12 to the spar member 14. Thespar member 14, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, is secured to alongitudinally extending yoke member 18. The yoke member is secured tothe spar member in any suitable manner, such as by bonding medium,journaling in a recipient opening of the yoke member, mechanicalfastening, etc., or alternatively, the yoke and spar members may beunitarily formed as a single piece, e.g., by molding, casting, or othersuitable method of manufacture.

The yoke and spar members may be formed of any suitable material ofconstruction, as previously noted in the Summary of the Inventionsection hereof.

At its distal portion, the yoke member 18 has a fixed thereto a couplingstructure 20 for securing the device to the lower leg/ankle region ofthe wearer, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-5. At its proximal end, theyoke member has secured thereto coupling structures 22 and 24, forsecuring the device to the upper calf/knee/thigh area of the wearer, asillustrated in FIGS. 3-5.

The coupling structure may be of any suitable type, as effective topositionally secure the device on the body of the wearer, for use inassisting the aquatic propulsion of a wearer in an aquatic environment.

In a specific modification, the flexural fin member may be unitarilyformed with the spar and/or yoke members, as may be desired in aspecific embodiment of the invention. For example, the flexural finmember may be manufactured as part of a conjoint flexural finmember/spar member assembly, of a single material of construction, inwhich the spar portion is of substantially increased thickness andrigidity relative to the flexural fin member.

As a still further alternative, the spar member, yoke member andflexural fin member may be component parts of a single-piececonstruction, e.g., as unitarily molded or cast from a suitable materialof construction.

Dimensionally, the spar member may have a transverse dimension A (asshown in FIG. 1) that is from about 1.5 feet to about 5 feet, althoughgreater or lesser dimensions can be employed. The flexural fin member 12may have a transverse extent that is greater or lesser than the sparmember transverse dimension. In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS.1-5, the flexural fin member is extended in transverse extent beyond theends of the spar member, having a transverse extent that may for examplebe on the order of about 1-3 inches greater at each side of the device.By way of further example, the transverse dimension B of the flexiblefin member may be from about 1 foot to about 6 feet, although again,greater or lesser dimensions can be employed. The longitudinal dimensionC of the flexible fin member can be from about 3 inches to about 30inches, although greater or lesser dimensions can be employed inspecific embodiments.

Further, although the flexural fin member in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5is shown has having a linear trailing edge (i.e., the edge farthest fromthe wearer of the device), it would be appreciated that the trailingedge may have a curved, scalloped, saw-toothed, sinusoidal or othershape edge, as appropriate to the specific embodiment of the device.Other (non-rectangular) forms of the flexural fin member are alsocontemplated within the scope of the invention.

The yoke 18, as shown in FIG. 3, has a longitudinal dimension D that mayrange in length from about 15 inches to about 3 feet, although greateror lesser dimensions can be employed in specific embodiments of theinvention.

The various fin, yoke and spar members of the device may be variouslyformed of any suitable materials, including material(s) specificallyidentified in the Summary of the Invention section hereof.

FIGS. 6 is a side elevation view of an assistive aquatic propulsiondevice 50 according to another embodiment of the invention. Asillustrated, the device 50 includes a yoke member 52 having opening 54at its proximal end portion, to accommodate passage therethrough of kneestraps or other coupling structure, for affixation of the device to thebody of a wearer. At its distal end, the yoke member 52 is provided witha cut-out 56 between distal flanges 60 and 62, in which is mounted abackbone portion 58 of the flexural fin member. In this embodiment, theflexural fin member includes a hinge 64 joining the backbone portion 58to the main fin portion 66 of the flexural fin member, as illustrated.

By the construction shown, the flexural fin member is able to pivotabout the hinge 64, between an upper position at which the flange 60 ofthe yoke member acts as a positive stop, and a lower position at whichflange 62 of the yoke member 52 acts as stop limit structure. By thisarrangement, the fin is able to pivot flexibly between respective upperand lower limit-stopped positions associated with the respective flanges60 and 62.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a device 70 according to yet anotherembodiment of the invention, featuring a yoke body 72 having opening 74in a proximal end portion thereof for accommodating coupling structurefor securing the device to the body of a wearer.

At its distal portion, the yoke member 72 has a cut-out 76 accommodatingmounting therein of a backbone portion 82 of the flexural fin member.The backbone portion 82 is joined to a hinge 84 which in turn is joinedto a main fin portion 86 of the flexural fin member.

In the FIG. 7 embodiment, the distal portion of the yoke member 72 hason its upper face a securement element 92 which secures the cable 88 tothe yoke member 72. The other end of the cable 88 is secured to main finportion 86 of the flexural fin member, by means of securement element90.

In like manner, a second cable 94 is secured to the bottom face of theyoke member 72 by securement element 98 and an opposite end of the cableis joined to the main fin portion 86 of the flexural fin member bysecurement element 96.

By the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, the main fin portion 86 of theflexural fin member is able to pivot about hinge 84, between a positionas shown, at which the cable 94 is fully extended, and a correspondingposition in which the cable 88 is fully extended and the cable 94 is ina relaxed (untensioned) state.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. This drawingshows a side elevation view of aquatic assistive propulsion device 100as comprising a yoke member 102 having at its proximal end portion anopening 104 for engaging the coupling structure for securing the yokemember on the body of the user.

At its distal end portion, the yoke member 102 features a cut-out 106.In such cut-out opening, there is disposed a backbone portion 116 of theflexural fin member, which is joined to the main fin portion 120 of theflexural fin member by hinge 118. Disposed in the cut-out opening 106,on either side of backbone fin portion 116 are stop plates 112 and 114,as illustrated. The stop plates 112 and 114 extend rear-wardly from theyoke member 102 and thus provide limitation of the pivotal movement ofthe main fin portion 120 of the flexible fin member of the device.

In the view shown, the main fin portion 120 of the device is shown atits uppermost position, as limited by the stop plate 112. The main finportion 120 may correspondingly pivot downwardly until stopped by lowerstop plate 114. In such manner, the flexural fin member can move freelyin pivotal fashion about the hinge through an arc defined by the stopplates 112 and 114 when in respective contact with the main fin portionof the flexible fin member.

It will be recognized that the aquatic assistive device embodimentsshown in FIGS. 6-8 have been shown without depiction of the lowercoupling structure on the yoke member, as otherwise illustrated in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-5. Such coupling structure may be disposed on theyoke members in the embodiments of FIGS. 6-8 in like manner, or in otherfashion, as may be desired in specific embodiments of the invention, theomission of such distal coupling structure in FIGS. 6-8 being for thesake of clarity of illustration and description.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an assistive aquatic propulsiondevice of the invention in another embodiment, including biomimetictailfin half-sections, each of which is securable to the leg of awearer.

The assistive aquatic propulsion device 150 in the FIG. 9 embodimentfeatures the biomimetic fin as being formed in two half-sections 164 and172, each of which is formed of a suitably hard flexural rubber materialand includes a fin half-section 168 and 174, respectively.

Fin half-section 168 is formed in a unitary manner with an elongate mastmember 166 having a backbone portion 152 to which the cuff members 156and 160 are joined, as illustrated. The cuff members have free ends withcomplementarily matable hook-and-loop fastener portions, to secure thehalf-section 164 to one of the wearer's legs.

In like manner, fin half-section 174 is formed in a unitary manner withan elongate mast member 172 having a backbone portion 154 to which thecuff members 158 and 162 are joined, as illustrated. The cuff membershave free ends with complementarily matable hook-and-loop fastenerportions, to secure the half-section 174 to the other one of thewearer's legs.

The device half-sections may be formed by molding of the fin and mastportions as a unit, or by casting or other suitable technique, followingwhich the cuff members can be affixed to the backbone of the mastportion by mechanical fasteners, welding, or other suitable joining orbonding methodology.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an assistive aquatic propulsiondevice 200 of the invention in yet another embodiment, in which thebiomimetic tailfin 202 is formed as unitary construction with alongitudinally extending beam member 204 that includes securementstructure, in the form of straps 206, 210, 214 and 218 havinghook-and-loop fastener portions 208, 212, 216 and 220, respectively forcoupling the device to the legs of a wearer.

It is possible to widely vary the assistive aquatic propulsion device ofthe invention in specific form. Although the fin may as shown herein beof a planar sheet form, it is more preferably configured to structurallyand functionally simulate the tailfin structure of a marine animal suchas a manatee, pilot whale, porpoise, mackerel, or other marine animalhaving a tailfin of appropriate character for improving speed and/ormobility of a wearer thereof in an aquatic medium, relative to acorresponding individual lacking such assistive device. The beam, yokemember or mast portion of the device may be secured to or formed withadditional securement structure for coupling with the body of thewearer, e.g., as part of an enhanced wetsuit or other swimming garment,or a supportive structure such as a jacket or lifevest, shoulderharness, diver's belt, or other apparel or wearable structure to whichthe fin is secured or coupled. The device may include a spar orcross-beam member with foothold pockets or other structure for securingthe device to the body of the wearer, such as stirrups, rings, etc.

The use of the assistive aquatic propulsion device of the presentinvention has been demonstrated to substantially increase the speedand/or mobility of a swimmer using same, and thereby represents asubstantial enhancement for aquatic movement and maneuvering, relativeto assistive devices of the prior art.

It will be appreciated that the structures, features and approaches ofthe invention may be practiced in a widely variant manner, consistentwith the broad disclosure herein. Accordingly, while the invention hasbeen described herein with reference to specific features, aspects, andembodiments, it will be recognized that the invention is not thuslimited, but is susceptible of implementation in other variations,modifications and embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is intended tobe broadly construed to encompass all such other variations,modifications and embodiments, as being within the scope of theinvention hereinafter claimed.

1. An assistive aquatic propulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in an aquatic environment, said device comprising a fin structure arranged to extend transversely outwardly from a wearer's lower leg or foot region, and securement structure for securing the fin structure to the wearer's body.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the fin structure comprises a unitary sheet-like member.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the fin structure comprises fin half-sections.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the fin structure comprises a biomimetic tailfin.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the biomimetic tailfin is a unitary tailfin structure.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein the biomimetic tailfin comprises tailfin half-sections.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the fin structure is joined to an elongate yoke member, and the securement structure is mounted on the yoke member.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the securement structure comprises releasibly connectible coupling members.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the coupling members include one or more members selected from the group consisting of belts, straps, elastic loops, mechanical fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, sleeves, bands, harnesses, cords, chains, and apparel articles.
 10. An assistive aquatic propulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in an aquatic environment, said device comprising a biomimetic tailfin joined to a yoke member securable to legs of a wearer so that legs of the wearer are secured together in side-by-side manner.
 11. An assistive aquatic propulsion device for enhancing speed and/or mobility of a swimmer in an aquatic environment, said device comprising: a longitudinally extending yoke member constructed and arranged for positioning between legs of a wearer; coupling structure for securing the yoke member to the legs of a wearer; a spar member extending transversely outwardly from and secured to the longitudinally extending yoke member; and a flexural fin member secured to the spar member.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the spar member is joined to the longitudinally extending yoke member at a distal portion of the yoke member, with the spar member arranged perpendicularly to the yoke member.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexural fin member is formed of a flexible resistant polymeric or rubber material.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein the coupling structure is quick-releasable in character.
 15. The device of claim 11, wherein the spar member has a dimensional extent in a range of from about 1.5 feet to about 5 feet and the yoke member has a dimensional extent in a range of from about 15 inches to about 3 feet.
 16. An assistive aquatic propulsion device, comprising a flexural fin member joined to a longitudinal yoke member securable to the legs of a wearer, said flexural fin member rearwardly of the yoke member extending transversely outwardly therefrom.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the flexural fin member is formed of a flexible resistant polymeric or rubber material.
 18. The device of claim 16, wherein the flexural fin member and the yoke member are integrally formed.
 19. The device of claim 16, wherein the yoke member is securable to the legs of a wearer by quick-release coupling members.
 20. The device of claim 16, wherein the yoke member is formed of a same material as the flexural fin member. 